Course Descriptions

PHIL 102: Reason & Rhetoric May be used as core credit in J-3-a. Form and style of argumentative discourse; development of critical thinking and rhetorical skills as students prepare and deliver written and oral presentations; construction, evaluation, and presentation of arguments; identification of arguments and fallacies to improve abilities to organize thoughts, express them clearly and simply, and judge the suitability of material for the audience. Instructors: Jay Feldman

PHIL 103: Ethics May be used as core credit in J-3-d. Introduction to philosophical reasoning through historical study of Western moral thought. Instructors: J. Carl Mickelsen, Jason Johnstone-Yellin

PHIL 201: Critical Thinking May be used as core credit in J-3-d. Acquiring and improving important skills of thinking, reading, and writing critically; emphasis on avoiding fallacies and mastering forms of valid argument in ordinary language. Instructor: Staff

PHIL 202: Intro to Symbolic Logic May be used as core credit in J-3-d. Development of systematic techniques for assessing validity of arguments; includes categorical logic, propositional logic, and elementary quantificational logic. Instructors: Michael O'Rourke

Phil 204 (s): Special Topics (cr arr) Instructor: Staff

PHIL 221: Philosophy in Film WSU Phil 210. The use of film as "philosophical text", discussing philosophical theories and debates presented in films, both old and new. Instructors: Royce Grubic

PHIL 240: Belief and Reality May be used as core credit in J-3-d. Introduction to epistemology (examination of grounds and limits of knowledge) and metaphysics (inquiry into the nature of reality) through historical and contemporary readings. Instructors: Michael O'Rourke

PHIL 302: Biblical Judaism Same as RelS 302. May be used as core credit in J-3-d. Analysis of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and related texts with an emphasis on hermeneutics and thought. Instructors: Janice Capel Anderson

PHIL 303: Early Christianity Same as RelS 303. May be used as core credit in J-3-d. Analysis of the New Testament and other early Christian texts of the first and second centuries C.E. with an emphasis on hermeneutics and thought. Instructors: Janice Capel-Anderson

PHIL 307: Buddhism Same as RelS 307. May be used as core credit in J-3-d. Philosophy and religion of Gautama Buddha as it developed in India, Tibet, China, and Japan. Instructor: Jay Feldman

PHIL 316: Philosophies and Religions of IndiaWSU 314. Same as RelS. Instructors: Staff

PHIL 320: History of Ancient Philosophy WSU Phil 290. May be used as core credit in J-3-d. Philosophical thought from the early Greeks through the Middle Ages; concentration on metaphysics and theory of knowledge. Instructors: Staff

PHIL 321: History of Modern Phil WSU Phil 305. May be used as core credit in J-3-d. Critical evaluation of the thought of major figures in early modern philosophy, such as Descartes, Leibniz, Spinoza, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant; emphasis on metaphysics and epistemology. Instructors: Staff

PHIL 325(s): Historical Figures in Philosophy Study of a major philosophical figure from the history of philosophy. May be repeated for credit. Recommended preparation: one philosophy course. Instructors: Staff

PHIL 351: Philosophy of Science WSU Phil 351. Introduction to the critical analysis of the aims and methods of science, its principles, practices, and achievements. Prerequistes: 3 credits of philosophy or 3 credits of natural science. Instructor:

PHIL 365: Biomedical Ethics May be used as core credit in J-3-d. Ethical questions in the health professions and medical research, with emphasis on current dilemmas faced by physicians, nurses, medical technologists, and dentists; case analysis in context of modern ethical theory. Instructor: Staff

PHIL 381: American Indian Environmental Philosophy Exploration of traditional and contemporary American Indian thought about people in relationship to the more than human world. Recommended preparation: Any courses in philosophy, religious studies, American Indian studies, or environmental studies. Instructor: Staff

PHIL 382: Philosophy of Ecology Exploration of conceptual issues in ecology with special consideration of the connection between ecology and environmental philosophy. Recommended preparation: Any courses in philosophy, natural resources, or environmental studies. Instructor: Staff

PHIL 417/517: Philosophy of Biology WSU Phil 418. A study of selected conceptual and methodological issues biology, such as the nature of species, units of selection, and function. Prerequisites: 3 credits of philosophy and 3 credits of biology (or permission of the instructor).

PHIL 447: Theory of Knowledge WSU Phil 447. Analysis of the nature of knowledge; survey of various philosophical positions on the sources and extent of what we know. Recommended Preparation: Phil 202 and 240. Instructors: Michael O'Rourke

PHIL 450: Ethics in Science An investigation of social and ethical issues in scientific research and the place of ethics in a scientific worldview.

PHIL ID&WS470: Philosophy of Law WSU Phil 470: May be used as core credit in J-3-d. Analysis of fundamental philosophical issues in law and legal systems, including the nature of law, relation of law to morality, judicial method, and nature and ascription of rights. Recommended Preparation: Phil 103. Instructor: Douglas Lind

PHIL 491: Seminar in Professional Ethics and Diversity Same as Soc 491. Capstone course for students pursuing certificates in professional ethics or diversity. Interdisciplinary seminar culminating in research projects and presentations under the direction of faculty mentors. Prerequisite: Phil 361 or Soc 301 or Permission. Instructor: Douglas Lind, John Mihelich

PHIL 496: Teaching Methods in Philosophy (2 cr, max 4) Learn methods of teaching while assisting in an introductory-level philosophy course. Prerequisite: four upper-division courses in philosophy, the introductory course in which the student will participate, and perm of dept. Graded P/F. Instructor: Staff

PHIL 508 (s): Critical Theory and Continental Aesthetics Introduction and examination of principal texts on art and aesthetics from the major figures in Critical Theory and Continental philosophy. Students will be encouraged to address the possible relevancy and application of the various theoretical frameworks within the purview of their own aesthetic and critical disciplines. Instructor: Ivan Castaneda

PHIL ID&WS510: Seminar in the History of Philosophy (3 cr, max 6) WSU Phil 510. Systematic exploration of the central works of an individual philosopher or philosophical movement. Instructor: Staff

PHIL 571: Ecological Jurisprudence Inquiry into the nature of law as a product of culture, emphasizing property, land tenure, and environmental rights and responsibilities. Recommended Preparation: Phil 103, 452, or 470. Instructor: Douglas Lind